Campbell defends PM at speaking event

Former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell made a robust defence of Tony Blair and attacked some sections of the media on his debut as a public speaker.

The exonerated ex-press secretary spoke for 40 minutes uninterrupted during the first half of his Audience With Alastair Campbell event at the Customs House in South Shields, Tyneside, last night.

Mr Campbell appeared unaware that BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan had resigned and only referred to the BBC once.

The comment was made as he welcomed former athletes and TV presenters Steve Cram and Brendan Foster, both in the audience, when he described them as two of the corporations "finest journalists".

Mr Campbell came out on stage to rapturous applause, and admitted he was feeling as nervous as he did when he gave evidence to Lord Hutton.

His talk, which ranged from his life as a student busking in Nice with his bagpipes, including his time as a pornographic writer, up to his time as one of the key Blair aides, was well received by the sell-out audience of 400 paying guests.

Mr Campbell said there was a rumour that one Sunday newspaper had paid £750 for one of the sought-after tickets.

He was only booed once by the North East audience when he referred to the time he watched his beloved Burnley FC play against local heroes Newcastle United in an FA Cup semi-final.

Mr Campbell stressed several times his continued admiration for the Prime Minister, saying he was "a decent guy doing a decent job".

He poured scorn on some sections of the media, particularly the Daily Mail, which said many times that the Prime Minister was not to be believed. Mr Campbell said: "It is trying to break the link of trust between those we have elected from doing the job they were elected to do."